Volunteer Opportunities

The Fool's Run is not just for runners and walkers — it's for the entire community. Not running? Volunteer instead! You'll get a 'Race Crew' T-shirt, BMO gloves, access to volunteer refreshments, invite to wrap party, and the chance to win a draw prize — plus a first-hand view of the race and the boundless appreciation of the participants and organizers!

2017 Wrap Party

All 2017 volunteers are invited to the post-race wrap party on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at Persephone Brewing Company in Gibsons, 6–8pm. Some free appies and draw prizes! Food options and beer available for purchase. You can also return your lanyard at this time. Watch for your email invitation this week! RSVP by April 11 to
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Job Descriptions

One person can do more than one job where the times required do not overlap, for example: volunteer check-in + marshal in Gibsons + marshal in RC or Davis Bay. Please read over the descriptions below and choose the job(s) best suited to your abilities and interests.

Friday and Saturday package pickup / late registration

Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm / 2:00 to 6:00 pm (2 shifts)Location: PaceSetter Athletic, 622 Hough Rd, GibsonsDescription: Help hand out race kits and take new registrations. During last hour of Saturday shift, help move everything to Community Centre and set room up for race day. Sign Up Now!

Saturday volunteer check in

Time: 2:00 to 6:00 pmLocation: PaceSetter Athletic, 622 Hough Rd, GibsonsDescription: Check in volunteers; sign out volunteer bags each containing equipment as required (vests, paddles), t-shirt, lanyard, and instructions. During last hour, help move everything to Community Centre and set up for race day. Sign Up Now!

Saturday preparation of finish area

Time: 5:30-6:30 pmLocation: Mission Point Park, Davis BayDescription: Unload race day supplies from vehicles to Mission Point House, help organize and set up inside house and at finish line, ready for race morning. Sign Up Now!

Race day (Sunday): pre-race

Course setup and takedown driver

Time: 5:00-7:30 am and 9:30 am-1 pmLocation: Gibsons to Davis Bay, race routeDescription: Help course director mark the race route. Drive a 1-ton truck slowly along the route. Must be a very smooth driver with excellent focus/attention/listening skills. Sign Up Now!

Course takedown rearguard vehicle driver

Time: 9:30 am-1 pmLocation: Gibsons to Davis Bay, race routeDescription: drive own car with hazards on, behind course pickup truck and volunteer, to provide a buffer between them and general traffic.Sign Up Now!

Volunteer check in

Time: 7:30-9:00 amLocation: Gibsons & Area Community Centre, Park RoadDescription: Check in volunteers; sign out volunteer bags each containing equipment as required (vests, paddles), t-shirt, lanyard, and instructions. At end of shift, pack everything up neatly. Sign Up Now!

Start area setup

Time: 7:30-8:00 amLocation: Gibsons & Area Community Centre, Park RoadDescription: Help set up start line on Park Road. Sign Up Now!

Package pickup

Time: 7:30-9:15 amLocation: Gibsons & Area Community Centre, Park RoadDescription: Hand out race envelopes (pre-stuffed and sorted alphabetically). Be able to answer basic questions about the event (e.g. buses, start line location, gear check). After 9:00 am, pack everything up and put tables and chairs back in the storage closet. Sign Up Now!

Event day registration

Time: 7:30-8:50 amLocation: Gibsons & Area Community Centre, Park RoadDescription: Accept day of event registrations and changes to registrations. Make sure the entry form is completely filled in and waiver is signed, bib # recorded in box, check the amount owing, take payment, give change if necessary, record amount and form of payment. Record entries/changes on lists for timing company. Give the participant their bib #, instruction sheet, pins and BMO gloves. Be able to answer basic questions (start time, location of start line, gear check). After 8:45 am, pack up all registration materials into bin provided. Sign Up Now!

Bus/ferry ambassador a.k.a. the Ferry Fairy

Time: 8:05-8:20 amLocation: Langdale Ferry TerminalDescription: Meet and greet the foot passenger runners off the 7:30am ferry and make sure they all get onto the school buses. Collect $2 each from any non-runners/non-volunteers using the buses. Sign Up Now!

Parking marshal

Race day: during race

Volunteer zone & equipment drop-off

Time: 8:00 am to 1:00 pmLocation: Mission Point House, Davis BayDescription: Set up and maintain volunteer zone with refreshments, inside the house. Answer volunteer questions (using detailed list of assignments). Sign-in and equip any volunteers who did not sign-in at the start in Gibsons. Receive and organize marshals' returned visi-vests and stop/slow paddles. Sign Up Now!

Finish area setup

Time: 7:00-9:30 amLocation: Mission Point Park, Davis BayDescription: Assist in setting up the finish line, tents, tables, recycling bins and signs. Under the direction of the finish line manager.Sign Up Now!

Medical support

Time: 8:15 am to 12:45 (on course) / 10:15 am to 1:15 pm (finish line)Description: (Certified in First Aid) Provide on-site medical support if needed, at start, on course and at finish area. Own vehicle required. Bring your own first aid kit. We provide finish line cooler for ice. Your expenses (gas, supplies) will be covered by the race. Must have cell phone so volunteers and organizers can contact you during the event. Finish line medical: stationed right at the finish line in medical tent, watching finishers closely for signs of distress.Sign Up Now!

Course marshal

Time: somewhere between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm; start and end time depends on location—early route locations will be finished quite quickly and you can move to a later spot.Description: Stand at designated location to provide visibility and make sure vehicles emerging from or turning into side roads do not interfere with the runners, and in some locations to direct the runners to turn at an intersection. You will be wearing a visi-vest and for many locations you'll use a STOP/SLOW paddle. You will sign out the vest (and paddle if applicable) on Saturday or Sunday, and have online access to maps showing where to go and where the runners will be on the road. Bring cell phone in case a runner needs assistance. Stay until the sweep team comes by after the last runner. Return vest/paddle to volunteer HQ at finish line, or PaceSetter Athletic.Sign Up Now!

Aid stations (4)

Time: from 9:00/9:30/9:45/10:00 am until sweep team comes by after last runnerLocations: 1. Veterans Rd at Carole Pl; 2. Lower Road at Joe; 3. Beach at Marlene Rd; 4. Jack Road on Hwy 101 (bottom of Rat Portage Hill)Description: Hold out cups of water and sports drink to passing runners who want it (they will grab the cup as they pass). Use dispensers (provided) to pre-fill a number of cups to be ready to hand out in quick succession. Collect all discarded cups into garbage bag during and afterwards. Aid station captain to pick up supplies prior to race day. Captain or designated volunteer to bring all supplies to the finish line immediately after station is finished.
This is a great job for a family, club, or group of friends; kids (age 8 and up) can either fill cups or hand them out, under supervision.Sign Up Now!

Baggage pickup

Time: 9:30 am to 1:00 pmLocation: Mission Point House, Davis BayDescription: Meet mini vans at Mission Point House, unload bags and place inside house in roughly ordered rows or sections, by bib number (use a human chain to move bags). Make sure bags are attended to at all times — only gear check volunteers can enter the room. Participants will come to the door and show their bib number to claim their tagged baggage. As you hand them their bag, tell them how to get to the indoor changerooms (Davis Bay beach parking lot). Must be reasonably fit, able to lift and carry small bags repeatedly. Sign Up Now!

Race photography

Time: 8:15 am to 12:30 pm / 10:15 am to 1:00 pmLocation: Start area & on course / Finish area Mission Point ParkDescription: Capture each participants, plus the excitement and spirit of race day, on digital camera. Edited photos to be provided on CD to event organizers, and posted on Facebook with branding overlay (image provided). Honourarium provided. Sign Up Now!

Finish line refreshments

Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pmLocation: Mission Point Park, Davis BayDescription: Set up and maintain refreshment area at the finish. Set up tables and serve fruit, yogourt, bagels, soup, baked goodies, water, coffee, sports drink, etc., pacing it out so the last runners get some. Some items need slicing or spreading. Use recycling and compost bins for waste material.Sign Up Now!

Green Team / Recycling

Time: 9:45 am to 1:00 pmLocation: Mission Point Park, Davis BayDescription: Assist with recycling of waste at the finish line. Help people put items in the correct bins; keep them tidy, move incorrectly placed items into correct bins, pick up items dropped on the ground. Work with refreshment and other finish line volunteers to get waste put into the correct places. Following the race, help with clean up and management of recyclables.Sign Up Now!

Park entrance marshal

Time: 8:30 to 11:30 amLocation: Mission Point Park, Davis BayDescription: Stand at the west driveway entrance to the park (access to Mission Point House) and only allow approved vehicles to enter/exit. A list will be available on this page with other volunteer instructions. Place wooden barricade (provided) across driveway when finished or when taking a break.Sign Up Now!

Awards pick-up

Time: 10:00 am to 1:00 pmLocation: Mission Point Park, Davis BayDescription: You will be handing out age group and relay awards and draw prizes, and posting printed results and prize winners. Help the awards manager organize the awards before 10:45. You will be given lists of winners as soon as they are available (more added as more results are available). Check off which awards/prizes have been picked up. You'll be in a tent beside the stage. Sign Up Now!

Finish chute marshal

Time: 10:15 am to 12:15 pmLocation: Mission Point Park, Davis BayDescription: Marshal 1: stand in the finish chute near the highway and keep it clear for competitors. Politely but firmly direct ALL spectators, relay teams accompanying their final runner (look for duplicate bib numbers), and early starters finishing before 10:45 am, to exit the chute. You will be given specific instructions for dealing with any 'too-fast' early starters.
Marshal 2: stand in the finish chute adjacent to the kids activity tents and stop anyone (except volunteers) from ducking under the flagging tape to cross the chute. Direct them to go around the far end of the finish line. Sign Up Now!

Backup results

Time: 10:15 am to 1:00 pmLocation: Mission Point Park, Davis BayDescription: Working with a partner in the finish chute just behind the line, write down finish times and bib numbers. This is in case a chip doesn't register on the mats, we'll be able to fill in the results. One person calls out numbers, the other one writes. Timing company to provide a watch with the running time. Suits those who have good focus and aren't distracted easily; and can write fast! Sign Up Now!

Finisher medal handout

Time: 10:15 am to 1:00 pmLocation: Mission Point Park, Davis BayDescription: Give a finisher's medal to each finisher as they leave the finish chute, at the same time congratulating and telling them where refreshments and baggage pickup are located. Relay team finishers get one medal per team member. Cheerful, outgoing and energetic personality required! Sign Up Now!

ASK ME info person

Time: 10:15 am to 1:00 pmLocation: Mission Point Park, Davis BayDescription: Holding a placard on a stick that says 'ASK ME', stand in a visible location near the finish area and be ready to answer participants' questions about where to find things, what time things are happening, etc. An FAQ sheet and site map will be available on this page prior to race day for you to print out and bring. Outgoing, cheerful personality required!Sign Up Now!

Finish area floater

Time: 10:00 am to 1:00 pmLocation: Mission Point Park, Davis BayDescription: Follow and assist race director as needed, for various tasks as they come up. Sign Up Now!

Kids' Run marshal

Time: 11:30 am to 12:10 pm; 11:50 am to 12:10 pmLocation: Mission Point Park, Davis BayDescription: 1 person at 11:30am: check that kids' run course is clear of vehicles and other obstructions; if vehicles have to be moved, let the race announcer know. All: Report to the kids tent by 11:50 am. Marshal the kids' run around the park paths. Stand at key corners (as per map) and keep the pathways clear of spectators. Sign Up Now!

Race day: post-race

Finish Line clean-up

Time: 1:00-2:00 pmLocation: Mission Point Park, Davis BayDescription: After final runner has come in: disassemble and neatly pack up all materials, tents, tables, cones, finish structure, etc. and load into appropriate vehicles, under the supervision of the finish line manager and race directors. Help clean Mission Point House (floors, tables, etc.). Place all waste into appropriate bins. You may be asked if you can return some supplies to their source, if you have room in your vehicle. Be prepared to stay on until clean up is FULLY completed and the organizers are locking up the house and park entrances to leave.Sign Up Now!